The coastal and ocean ecosystem forms a significant feature of our planet and provides livelihood to most of life on the earth. Millions of species have been discovered from the oceans and many new species are still being explored daily. Of all plankton is considered to be an important biological component which can acts as primary factor of the ocean food web. Plankters are microscopic organisms that drift on the ocean currents. They include organisms such as diatoms, dinoflagellates, krill and copepods as well as the microscopic larvae of fin fish and shell fish. Plankters also include tiny photosynthetic organisms that are innumerable and capable of generating more oxygen than all other plants on Earth combined. Marine plankters serve as primary (phytoplankton) and secondary (zooplankton) producers and predominates the entire coastal and ocean biodiversity. Marine plankters have paramount ecological significance as they form pelagic food links and serve as indicators of water masses. They constitute the largest and reliable source of protein in the ocean for most of the fishes. Being a primary producer, its absence or reduction often affects fishery. It has been observed in many countries that the downfall of fishery has been attributed to reduced plankton population. Furthermore, trillions of little copepods produce countless faecal pellets contributing greatly to the marine snow and therefore accelerating the flow of nutrients and minerals from the surface waters to the bottom of the seas. They are phylogenetically highly successful groups as regards to phylogenetic age, number of living species and success of adaptive radiation. The study on the taxonomy, ecology, biology and biochemistry of plankton would give an index of the fishery potential in marine waters. This becomes important not only to know the facts about the ocean ecology, but also to ensure society’s long-term welfare directly or indirectly by providing food and livelihood for the millions of people living in coastal areas. For this reason, we need to understand all the facets of plankton as well as their interactions with atmosphere and other life forms, including human. Marine Planktonology & Aquaculture Laboratory conducts research in the following directions. 1. Study on seasonal dynamics of structural and functional characteristics of phytoplankton and zooplankton with emphasis on physico-chemical characteristics. 2. Taxonomical research in different systematic groups of phytoplankton and zooplankton aimed at elucidation of zoogeographical distribution. 3. Investigation on biology, culture and nutritional characterization of marine phytoplankton and zooplankton (copepods) for the rearing of commercial and ecological valuable invertebrates and fish larvae and 4. Exploration of protein, essential fatty acids, pigments, bio-fuel, bioactive compounds using marine plankton as feedstock. 5. We also conduct research on bioremediation of wastewaters using marine microalgae for a clean environment. The laboratory has developed facilities in Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Biology, Culture, Nutrition, Biotechnology and Pharmacology of Marine Plankton, Marine and Brackishwater Fish Larviculture and Larval Nutrition. We have been expanding our expertise to create public awareness about the importance of the coastal and marine biodiversity conservation, hygienic handling of marine organisms and marine value added products. We have also been actively engaged in providing free consultancy services to fish farmers on marine live feed culture and fish cultures. We also guide school and college students for their career development in association with NGO’s. Our aim is to understand the importance of marine plankton and develop the technology for sustainable production of fish and other commodities for food and livelihood of mankind.

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